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3 Observations: Cousins, Treadwell Connect for Bevy of Red-Zone TDs

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings strapped on the pads for the first time at Verizon Vikings Training Camp, bringing a little extra physicality to Monday afternoon’s practice.

Minnesota practiced for more than two hours on a toasty afternoon at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

The Vikings are scheduled to hold a walk-through from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, followed by another padded practice from 2:45-5 p.m. The first off day of training camp is set for Wednesday.

Here are three observations from Monday’s session:

1. Cousins finds Treadwell for 6 (x4)

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was on the money Monday in the red zone, and his favorite target of this practice was wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.

Cousins and Treadwell connected for four touchdowns during a 7-on-7 session inside the 20-yard line, with the quarterback tossing six touchdowns overall in the drill, although the Vikings defense might argue they could have kept the wide receiver out of the end zone on his first score.

Cousins first hit wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 12-yard score before finding Treadwell in the end zone from 10 yards out.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph then caught a score before Treadwell made his best catch of the day, a leaping grab in the back left corner of the end zone with Xavier Rhodes draped on him. Treadwell then finished off the drill with another score.

2. No misses here

Both of the Vikings kickers were perfect on Monday, the first time Kai Forbath and Daniel Carlson attempted field goals during team periods in front of the media at training camp.

Forbath made all five of his attempts, including a 43-yarder at end of team drill on the final play of the half. He was then successful from 32, 33, 40 and 46 yards during the special teams portion of practice.

Forbath made 32 of 38 field goals with the Vikings in 2017, and added a clutch 53-yarder in the Divisional Round win over New Orleans.

Carlson, a rookie from Auburn, also made his kicks from 32, 33, 40 and 46 yards.

3. Soaking it all in

Holton Hill has been one of the most noticeable young players in the early stages of training camp. The rookie cornerback’s willingness to learn has been impressive, too.

Hill spent time after Monday’s practice working with veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes and Terence Newman working on footwork and backpedaling drills.

Newman spoke to the media and had positive things to say about Hill’s approach to his first NFL training camp.

“This is what, our third day? Everybody is just trying to get better and perfect their craft,” Newman said. “Guys have asked the guys who have been around and said, ‘Hey, can you help me after practice?’ That’s what we do. We’re a team and we’re trying to help everybody get better. We need as many people as possible to play well.”